Cowboys interest grows in Garrett

By SIMON MILHAM

Last updated at 16:20 25 January 2007

Having been given a stern 'hands off' warning by the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys are turning their attentions away from trying to attact Lovie Smith - with Jason Garrett the leading candidate for their head coaching position.

With Bill Parcells deciding to announce his retirement on Monday, the Cowboys are the only NFL team with a head coaching vacancy.

Garrett, a quarterbacks coach with the Miami Dolphins, met with Dallas team owner Jerry Jones and his son, Stephen on Wednesday. The Cowboys are also looking for an offensive coordinator.

The Dolphins blocked Garrett from interviewing for Cleveland's offensive coordinator position last month, before granting permission to speak with the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have interviewed three of their own staff for the head coaching role - Tony Sparano (offensive line), Todd Bowles (defensive backs) and Todd Haley (wide receivers) - and are also said to be interested in San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner and San Diego defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Garrett, 40, wasn't one of the 13 candidates recently interviewed for the Dolphins' head coaching position that ultimately went to Cam Cameron.

Garrett, though, has earned respect around the NFL in his two seasons as the franchise's quarterbacks coach after playing the position as a reserve the previous 12 years for four different franchises, including Dallas from 1993 to 1999.

Garrett, who left the Senior Bowl on Wednesday morning for his Cowboys interview, doesn't have any experience as a coordinator.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville have hired Mike Shula as its new quarterbacks coach. Shula was considered a candidate for a Dolphins' staff position after interviewing for the team's head coaching position.